Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

What a lovely location! We sat at a large round table in a little alcove which made for just the best atmosphere for our group. Our server, Ella, was so so helpful and friendly. Even while she had other tables she was also taking care of, she was continually checking in and offering refills on drinks and sides. We also had a gluten allergic member of our group, and the manager Andrea came over to let us know exactly how that dish would be handled and the measures taken to keep it safe from contamination. I haven't experienced this at other restaurants before and was so pleasantly surprised by their initiative on that front, especially being a restaurant known almost exclusively for pasta and bread. Overall, we had an amazing experience and would be happy to return and to recommend this location to others.

Normally we have a very great time at this location. Even when it's busy service is usually good. We had an awkward and uncomfortable experience this time around. We both still left 20% tips. Words can speak just as loud as actions and I don't believe in shorting a tip unless they were trying to be mean. I had to send back the steak that I had ordered medium because it was extremely well done and impossible to chew. Also every single time we've been to this olive garden and had unlimited breadsticks and soup with our entre they would give us a bag for the breadsticks and they would bring out our last bowls of soup in to go bowls. I wanted to order the 6 dollar take home meal but they didn't have the alfredo with gluten free noodles. I asked if we could order the regular main meal for to go and our server indicated we had to be fully done with the meal and order from the host stand. We also were told they cannot put soup in a to go and we explained its happened every single time and we were told they shouldn't be doing that. That's unfortunate if that's the case because it puts the server and customer in a super awkward position. We also were told they don't give out bags for the leftovers..... When we literally saw a woman walk by with her to go boxes in a bag. And this is sort of silly I know but we also didn't get the usual mints they leave at the end. I think if our server laid off the weed before his shift he might have been able to be a bit more effective managing the busy time of dinner.